The ships are capable of charting waters up to 6,000 metres (20,000 ft) deep, carry three Fantome-class survey boats, and could operate an AS 350B Squirrel helicopter.

The sonars and echo sounders allow the vessels to chart waters up to 6,000 metres (20,000 ft) deep.

[2] There are three sets of davits fitted; although normally used to carry the 10.7-metre (35 ft) Fantome-class survey boats, they can be configured for other small craft.

[1] The Leeuwins were the first RAN ships to use a multi-crewing concept,[citation needed] with three complements used to operate the two vessels.

The two ships were ordered from NQEA on 2 April 1996, and built at the company's shipyard in Cairns, Queensland.

[2][3] The survey ships were selected as they had greater range and seakeeping capabilities that the Fremantle-class patrol boats.